A fantastic way to experience SE Asia

To begin, let me start by saying that I was a member of Trellis' pilot program, and it will only get better with future programs. That being said, my experience was great. I found Trellis while searching online for possible location to teach English, without even having a destination country in mind. Not knowing if teaching would be something I would like to do for more than a few months, I though I would give it a shot.

The hiring process was very quick, and gave plenty of time upon my acceptance of the offer to prepare to come to Vietnam. I arrived a few days before the program started, and found temporary accommodations waiting for me. The day the program started, I moved into the housing that Trellis would provide for the next few months: a spacious, well-furnished studio apartment with some of the friendliest staff I have met.

A two-week training period kicked off the program, with one of the teachers from Trellis' parent company in Japan travelling to Vietnam to give a crash course in teaching basics. The classes themselves consisted of between 8 and 10 university students between the ages of 19 and 22. They were very entertaining to speak to and become close to, and they loved the system of "learning disguised as games" that Trellis uses.

Vietnam itself is a beautiful country. Da Nang is a seaside city surrounded by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Travel inland a few miles, and you will be surrounded by dense jungle. Be sure to travel to Hoi An and check out the silk tailors! Or take a ride up to the Lady Buddha on Son Tra Mountain and explore a very peaceful monastery.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Trellis in Vietnam. Upon completion, you will have a chance to work in Japan teaching English in Kanazawa, a small city in western Japan that is rich in culture and heritage. Having been in Kanazawa for just over a week now, I can say that I made the right decision volunteering with Trellis.